Written Answers Wednesday 20 June 2007

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address the misuse of alcohol throughout Scotland.

Shona Robison: The Scottish government recognises that alcohol misuse represents a significant challenge to the public health of Scotland today.

  The Scottish Government will:

  build on and develop the programme of work set out in the Updated Plan for Action on Alcohol Problems, published in February 2007;

  examine ways to take tougher action on those involved in underage sales and to crack down on irresponsible alcohol price promotions in supermarkets, and

  developing a long-term strategy to bring about a lasting and sustainable change in Scotland’s attitude to alcohol by de-normalising excessive drinking.

Animal Welfare

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what position it plans to take on the banning of animal containment systems, such as freedom fences.

Richard Lochhead: The Executive will issue a consultation paper later this year seeking views on whether and what types of electronic training collars should be banned, or whether their use should be regulated. This consultation will include the type of electric collar activated by boundary systems.

Architecture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to fund and support Architecture and Design Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: The Executive will continue to fund Architecture and Design Scotland, and will support it in its important aim of creating a better built environment for the people of Scotland.

Architecture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for Architecture and Design Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: We wish to see Architecture and Design Scotland carry forward its objective of inspiring better quality development across the country and contributing towards the creation of successful and sustainable places. The detailed objectives of the organisation will be confirmed in its forthcoming corporate plan.

Bees

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to prevent the spread of mites and varroa disease in the bee population.

Richard Lochhead: Varroa is now endemic in Scotland. Beekeepers, as with all other keepers of livestock, have a duty of care to treat their hives should they discover varroa infestation. Scottish Government funds the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency to provide a free diagnostic service to beekeepers and the Scottish Agriculture College to provide free advice, training and education to beekeepers throughout Scotland on all aspects of integrated pest management and good bee husbandry in the control of varroa.

Bees

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many reported incidences of mites and varroa disease in the bee population there have been in each of the last five years, giving the most appropriate area breakdown available.

Richard Lochhead: The number of apiaries infected with varroa during the last five years by region is as follows:

  

Region
Number of Positive Apiaries


2003
2004
2005
2006


Highland 
27
6
32
26


Strathclyde(including Islay)
18
21
14
24


Lothian
10
16
20
15


Borders
12
11
18
17


Dumfries and Galloway
37
17
12
11


Grampian
14
16
11
7


Tayside
29
24
12
6


Central
2
1
5
6


Fife 
15
7
4
4


Orkney
0
0
0
0


Total
164
119
128
116



  In 2007, up to 8 June, there have been 44 apiaries diagnosed with varroa. Unfortunately this information has not yet been broken down by region. All figures may include an element of double counting as a number of beekeepers submit samples on a regular basis, some of which may have already been diagnosed earlier in the year or in a previous year.

Cairngorms National Park

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park.

Michael Russell: There is widespread support for the objectives of our national parks and in the first few years since they were designated both Scottish National Parks have achieved significant progress. Following on from the recent adoption of the two National Park Plans, I propose to initiate a review in the near future which will provide an opportunity to examine the operation of the park authorities as well as any questions about park boundaries.

Cancer

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the planned specialist cancer care centre for Ayrshire, to be located at Ayr Hospital, will proceed and what budget has been allocated for this.

Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-752 on 18 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Care of Elderly People

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to nursing homes to ensure that dementia patients receive adequate exercise.

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to encourage mobility in elderly residents of nursing homes.

Shona Robison: The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 removed the statutory distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. All such services are now registered as care homes, as defined in that act.

  The National Care Standards for care homes for older people require care home providers to provide opportunities for all residents, including those with dementia, to take part in physical activities in or outside the home. Where a resident is unable to go outside the home, staff should arrange physical activities that aim to help the resident maintain their physical independence and ability. In addition residents should be able to access community healthcare services such as physiotherapy and chiropody.

  The Care Commission regulates care homes against the requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking account of the National Care Standards.

Care of Elderly People

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures can be taken to encourage bone density, thereby reducing fractures, in elderly nursing home residents.

Shona Robison: The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 removed the statutory distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. All such services are now registered as care homes, as defined in that act.

  The Scottish Government recently issued guidance to NHS boards and Community Health Partnerships on the need to develop a combined falls prevention and bone health strategy. The guidance was also issued to local authorities as robust falls and fracture management and prevention strategies are imperative for care home residents, amongst whom the incidence of falls and fractures is high.

  The guidance, NHS HDL(2007)13, is available at: http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/mels/HDL2007_13.pdf.

Care of Elderly People

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues in relation to the use of Kirkton chairs and other forms of restraint in nursing homes.

Shona Robison: The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 removed the statutory distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. All such services are now registered as care homes, as defined in that act.

  The National Care Standards for care homes for older people require care home providers to have a written policy and procedure on the conditions under which restraint is used, and that staff are fully trained and supported in the use of restraint. Providers should also include in a resident’s personal plan any measures of restraint which staff may have to use for their own safety or the safety of others. Restraint should only be used when it is necessary and after other forms of intervention have been thoroughly tried and found to be unsuccessful, or where there is a specific legal requirement.

  The Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 require care home providers to ensure that no resident is subject to restraint unless it is the only practicable means of securing the welfare of that or any other service user and there are exceptional circumstances. Providers are also required to keep a record of any occasion on which restraint or control has been applied to a resident, with details of the form of restraint or control, the reason why it was necessary and the name of the person authorising it.

  The Care Commission regulates care homes against the requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking account of the National Care Standards. It has a wide range of enforcement powers at its disposal should a provider fail to meet these requirements.

Care of Elderly People

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what training it recommends for staff responsible for dispensing medication in nursing homes.

Shona Robison: The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 removed the statutory distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. All such services are now registered as care homes, as defined in that act.

  The National Care Standards for Care Homes for Older People say that the care home service will have policies and procedures in place for the administration of medication. They also state that staff will know how to put these policies and procedures into practice and will have regular training to review this and learn about new guidance.

  The Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations require the care home to keep records of medicines kept on the premises for the use of residents.

  The Care Commission regulates care homes against the requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking account of the National Care Standards. It has a wide range of enforcement powers at its disposal should a provider fail to meet these requirements.

Care of Elderly People

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what staff-to-resident ratio it recommends for nursing homes with patients who have dementia.

Shona Robison: The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 removed the statutory distinction between residential care homes and nursing homes. All such services are now registered as care homes, as defined in that act.

  The Regulation of Care (Requirements as to Care Services) (Scotland) Regulations require providers to ensure that at all times sufficient numbers of suitably qualified and competent persons are working in the care service as are appropriate for the health and welfare of service users. Care providers must ensure that care staff receive training appropriate to the work they are to perform.

  The Care Commission regulates care homes against the requirements in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 and its associated regulations, taking account of the National Care Standards. It has a wide range of enforcement powers at its disposal should a provider fail to meet these requirements.

  Work is currently being carried out in the Care Home Staffing Project by the Scottish Government, the Care Commission and COSLA to look at whether a model can be developed to inform staffing levels in care homes. Preliminary findings are expected towards the end of the summer.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce the Culture Bill which has now completed its consultation phase.

Linda Fabiani: I will consider the views expressed in the consultation on the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill, and if we believe the Scottish Government needs legislation to achieve its cultural policy aims, we will bring it to the Parliament.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of honouring the artistic independence of the Arts Council and Scottish Screen.

Linda Fabiani: Yes.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to work to establish Creative Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: I will consider the views expressed in the consultation on the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill and will then bring forward proposals.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the funding and promotion of the Youth Music initiative.

Linda Fabiani: As I stated in Parliament on 7 June 2007, I am currently considering the future for the Youth Music Initiative in schools.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the funding and promotion of the Cultural Co-ordinators in Schools programme.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to support the concept of an escalator model for young people with creative talents.

Linda Fabiani: We are committed to ensuring that children and young people have the opportunity to access the widest range of quality cultural activity throughout their schooling. Similarly, we will ensure that those with talent have sufficient chance to develop their abilities and skills further.

  We are now considering the future for the cultural co-ordinators in Scottish Schools programme and will consider in tandem the potential role for these co-ordinators in support of an escalator concept.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of prioritising cultural entitlements for Scotland’s people.

Linda Fabiani: My priority is to expand access to and participation in cultural activity. I will consider the evidence of pre-existing initiatives, such as the Cultural Pathfinder projects, and the responses to the consultation on the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill. I will then make proposals.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue its major events strategy.

Linda Fabiani: Yes, we do intend to continue the major events strategy to build on Scotland’s reputation as a world-class events destination. The vision was, and still is, to become one of the world’s foremost events destinations by 2015. Therefore, I would like to assure you that I intend to see this is taken forward as a priority.

Culture

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the success of the New Arts Sponsorship Awards scheme.

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue to fund and support the New Arts Sponsorship Awards scheme.

Linda Fabiani: Since its launch in March 2006, the Scottish Executive New Arts Sponsorship Awards Scheme, has made a total of 70 awards (36 in 2006-07 and 34 in 2007-08). That is 70 projects which might not have taken place without the scheme. I think that is a tremendous achievement. I will now consider proposals about future funding.

Debt

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current debt level is of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what the forecast increase is in this financial year.

Nicola Sturgeon: The net assets of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (the board) at 31 March 2007 are in the order of £900 million and this is expected to be broadly similar in 2007-08. The board expects its revenue resource outturn to settle at circa £26 million underspend, approximately 1% of the resources available; breakeven is planned for 2007-08.

Dentistry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the criteria for determining dentists’ commitment to the NHS.

Shona Robison: We are considering limited amendments with a view to improving certain aspects of the existing commitment criteria.

Dentistry

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive why the NHS does not contract private dentists to carry out free dental checks, given that it contracts private optometrists to carry out free eye checks.

Shona Robison: NHS boards make arrangements with dentists and optometrists providing NHS services in the same way. Optometrists like dentists are independent contractors. Those optometrists wishing to provide general ophthalmic services, i.e. free NHS eye examinations, are required to join the relevant NHS board’s ophthalmic list in the same way that dentists wishing to provide general dental services are required to join the relevant NHS board’s dental list.

Environment

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what encouragement it is giving to local authorities to increase the number of children who travel to school by school bus, so reducing the number travelling by private car.

Maureen Watt: In March 2007 the Scottish Executive published School transport: survey of good practice on its website, to help and encourage authorities to improve the standards of school transport, discourage car use and promote healthier travel choices. This builds on earlier school transport guidance and on the work of the local authority school travel co-ordinators, who are funded by the Scottish Executive.

Environment

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is given to local authorities to ensure that the buses used for school transport are the most environmentally friendly.

Maureen Watt: The Scottish Executive is currently addressing this in a wider context and is in discussion with local transport authorities and the bus industry with a view to reviewing the environmental impacts of all bus travel. There is no current Scottish Executive guidance specifically on environmentally friendly school buses.

Equalities

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the mainstreaming of equality will continue throughout all departments.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is continuing to take a number of steps to ensure that the mainstreaming of equality is undertaken systematically across policy areas, these include:

  Continuing to implement the public sector equality duties, as both an employer and in terms of our policy and delivery work (the government’s Race, Disability and Gender Equality Schemes set out our commitments to mainstreaming equality and are available on the Government’s website).

  Continuing to promote the government’s Equality Impact Assessment Tool (EQIA), which was launched in December 2006. The tool is available to all staff via the intranet, and completed impact assessments will be published on the government’s website. We are conducting EQIAs across six strands (gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age and faith) across all relevant policy areas (new policies and reviews of existing policies). We are also providing regular "drop in EQIA surgeries" for staff regarding how to best take forward EQIA effectively for different policy areas.

  Continuing to collect, analyse, disaggregate and disseminate analytical data (social research and statistics); provide focussed analytical support for the EQIA process; providing written and oral briefing across policy areas, and providing guidance and practical support to policy makers and analysts (for example, in March 2007 the Scottish Government published A Gender Audit of Statistics, which is available on the Executive’s website and we are currently reviewing the guidance provided to bill teams and also working to embed equalities in the business planning process).

  Continuing to support the work of Equality Proofing the Budget and Policy Advisory Group and the Equality in Audit and Inspection Working Group.

  Continuing to take forward the Scottish Government’s Diversity Strategy, "Positive about You" which was launched in November 2000 and reviewed and re-launched in December 2004. The revised Strategy has a focus on the mainstreaming of diversity across the organisation and aims to consolidate the substantial progress that has been made so far.

  The Scottish Government also published its Departmental Diversity Delivery Plan, in July 2006. This supports the wider Cabinet Office initiative, Delivering a Diverse Civil Service - a Ten Point Plan. The plan sets out how we plan to change the culture of our organisation and reap the benefits that having a diverse organisation brings. Its progress is overseen by its Diversity Forum: a group of key diversity policy leads from across UK Government and is chaired by its Diversity Champion. It also is monitored by the Cabinet Office Diversity Champions’ Network.

  Continuing to engage with our external stakeholders to harness their expertise and support in promoting and embedding mainstreaming equality across policy and practice.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is on cod discards.

Richard Lochhead: The current level of cod discarding, which is largely the result of decisions taken within the CFP as well as the extent to which we have a mixed fishery, is regrettable and does little to help cod stocks. I believe there is an urgent need to consider appropriate measures that will avoid this level of discarding in the future.

Fisheries

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment has discussed fishery protection issues with representatives of the fishing industry and, if so, with which representatives and what the substance was of such discussions; whether the Cabinet Secretary is aware of industry views on the activities of fishery protection officers, and whether he supports the fishing industry in any views expressed.

Richard Lochhead: The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment will continue to meet with a wide variety of fishing industry representatives. Fishery enforcement and control is an important aspect of fishery management and as such is always a topic for consideration.

  The industry and government are committed to delivering compliance through various measures including giving fishermen an influential voice at all levels of management and work is now completed to survey existing attitudes as a baseline from which to measure change.

Further Education

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any requirements for the Scottish Agricultural College to obtain consent from the Secretary of State for Scotland in terms of the memorandum of association dated 17 November 1987 and incorporated under the Companies Act 1985 have been formally transferred to the Scottish Ministers and whether the Secretary of State for Scotland could overrule any decision made by the Scottish ministers in this respect.

Richard Lochhead: Section 117 of the Scotland Act 1998 has the effect of altering all references in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) dated 17 November 1987 from "the Secretary of State for Scotland" to "the Scottish Ministers". On the basis that the matters described in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the SAC are devolved and fall within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, decisions taken by the Scottish ministers in relation to the activities of the SAC cannot be overruled by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Gaelic

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for the Gaelic language.

Linda Fabiani: Ministers’ key priority is to create a secure future for the Gaelic language in Scotland. In order to achieve this urgent attention needs to be focused on the growth, the usage and the status of the Gaelic language. Further detail on how to make progress in these areas is contained in Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s National Plan for Gaelic.

Gaelic

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will continue the policy of support and funding for the Gaelic digital broadcasting channel.

Linda Fabiani: Gaelic television is an important aspect of the promotion of Gaelic in Scotland. We welcome the progress that has been made towards a digital channel and we are keen to monitor the operation of this to ensure it offers clear benefits for Gaelic speakers and to the areas where Gaelic is spoken.

Gaelic

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its priorities are for Gaelic-medium education.

Linda Fabiani: Within the framework of the National Plan for Gaelic, Scottish ministers recognise the vital role that Gaelic medium education plays in creating a sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland. Our priorities will be to look at ways of increasing numbers within Gaelic medium education at all levels, to ensure there are adequate numbers of Gaelic teachers available and that both pupils and teachers have access to good quality resources and support.

Health

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-29690 by Mr Andy Kerr on 14 November 2006, what the projected funding is for the Scottish Health Council in each financial year from 2007-08.

Nicola Sturgeon: The funding allocation agreed for the Scottish Health Council for 2007-08 is £2.711 million. Funding for subsequent years will be set following the spending review, which is currently underway.

Health

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21691 by Mr Andy Kerr on 19 January 2006, which NHS boards have developed strategic partnerships with the Citizens Advice Bureau in their areas to provide independent advice and support for patients and when any such partnerships were developed.

Nicola Sturgeon: The following table details the current position in relation to the partnerships between NHS boards and the Citizens Advice Bureau for the provision of an independent advice and support service:

  

NHS Board
Implementation Date


Ayrshire and Arran
Still under negotiation


Borders
1 April 2007


Dumfries and Galloway
1 April 2007


Fife
Still under negotiation


Forth Valley
1 June 2007


Grampian
29 January 2007


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
1 December 2006 - interim serviceApril 2007 - full service


Highland
1 August 2007 - interim service1 January 2008 - full service


Lanarkshire
1 September 2006


Lothian
1 April 2007 - interim service8 July 2007 – full service


Orkney
1 July 2007


Shetland
1 January 2007


Tayside
1 April 2007


Western Isles
1 October 2006

Health

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local advisory councils of the Scottish Health Council are operating with a full complement of volunteers.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Health Council recruits volunteers to its Local Advisory Councils network on the basis of their skills and motivation to carry out the required work, rather than by recruiting to fill a specified complement. The council advise that the average number of Local Advisory Council members is currently between six and seven.

Heritage

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce new legislation in respect of heritage and the built environment.

Linda Fabiani: A review of the current legislation covering heritage protection is currently being undertaken and consideration of the need to legislate will be given once that review is complete.

Heritage

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support Scotland’s historic houses.

Linda Fabiani: We will continue to support historic houses, as appropriate, through Historic Scotland’s grants programme, their technical advice and guidance publications, and the sharing of best practice in a range of associated networks.

Historic Scotland

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the rationale for a merger of Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: In taking forward policies to safeguard our heritage, our aim is to reduce duplication of activities. To this end, we are presently exploring the detailed implications of a potential merger between Historic Scotland and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.

Hospitals

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many NHS patients domiciled in Scotland were treated in independent hospitals in (a) Scotland and (b) England in (i) 2004, (ii) 2005 and (iii) 2006.

Nicola Sturgeon: (a) Reliable information on the number of NHS patients treated in private hospitals is not available centrally. However, the Information and Statistics Division of NHS National Services Scotland is working with the Scottish Government, NHS boards, and the independent healthcare sector to resolve this issue, and data collection is improving.

  (b) This information is not available centrally.

Housing

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address affordable housing issues in the Borders.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Local investment priorities are agreed jointly by Scottish Borders Council (as the strategic housing authority) and Communities Scotland. These investment priorities are based on the local housing strategy and evidence of housing need that is compiled locally.

  Both organisations are currently working to develop a longer term three year indicative investment programme for the Scottish Borders.

  Communities Scotland and Scottish Borders Council have also been working with a local registered social landlord to establish a land-bank strategy, taking into consideration land that may be released once the new local plan has been approved. This will allow longer term planned investment activity.

  Over the 18 month period between January 2007 and June 2008, affordable housing developments are either on site, or are scheduled to go on site in Ancrum, Cardrona, Duns, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Innerleithen, Jedburgh, Kelso, Melrose, Tweedbank, Selkirk, Sprouston, Stow and West Linton. These site starts will provide a minimum of 184 affordable homes for rent with a further 38 being made available through Communities Scotland’s "Homestake" shared equity scheme.

  Homestake is aimed at helping people on low incomes who wish to become homeowners but whose financial resources are insufficient to meet their needs because of local housing market prices. Further details on Homestake are available at: http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/cs_008156.hcsp#TopOfPage.

  Additionally, last year Communities Scotland increased its allocation by 100% for Rural Home Ownership Grants (RHOGs). RHOGs aim to sustain rural communities by making it easier for local people on lower incomes to own their own homes. Communities Scotland will make eight grants available for successful applicants in 2007-08 and will consider increasing this should the allocation be met with appropriate demand.

  In 2007-08 Communities Scotland has allocated a record £7.2 million investment in the Scottish Borders, an increase of over 9% compared with the 2006-07 allocation and an increase of nearly 50% on the allocation to the Scottish Borders in April 2005.

Housing

Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that Communities Scotland provides full support to Community Self-build Scotland to enable successful delivery of its projects, particularly the proposed five new self-build low carbon homes in Abbeyview, Dunfermline.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland, in partnership with local housing associations, has worked with Community Self-Build Scotland (CSBS) on a number of projects and has also published guidance (with input from CSBS) to help in planning community self-build projects.

  In Abbeyview, Dunfermline, Communities Scotland are presently working with CSBS, in conjunction with Fife Council and Fife Special Housing Association (HA), to develop a low carbon demonstration house on a site where another four houses for affordable rent are being developed by Fife Special HA. For this whole project, a total of around £0.4 million of housing association grant funding is being proposed by Communities Scotland. Fife Council agreed to make the development site available to Fife Special HA, and, as the strategic housing authority, has also determined the tenure balance to best meet local affordable housing and regeneration needs in the area.

  Additionally, in connection with the project, Abbeyview Communities Scotland has part funded CSBS through Wider Role grant funding of £0.03 million to build a low carbon office for use by CSBS and local groups. Communities Scotland has also supported CSBS through a further £0.05 million of Wider Role grant funding to support sustainable construction training for women within Abbeyview and the local Dunfermline area.

Housing

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review tenants’ rights to buy their homes.

Stewart Maxwell: We will look to consider the best way to continue to achieve optimum benefit from the right to buy scheme. We would not wish to remove the rights of existing tenants. Instead we will explore ways of achieving greater local flexibility in the operation of the scheme.

International Development

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its strategy is for international development.

Linda Fabiani: We are committed to Scotland, as a responsible nation, continuing to play its part in assisting international development.

International Development

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the next round of funding for international development.

Linda Fabiani: No decision has yet been reached on the timing of the next round of funding for international development. When it is, details will be posted on the Executive’s website.

International Development

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will honour the co-operation agreement with the government of Malawi.

Linda Fabiani: We will continue to work with Malawi on the Scotland-Malawi Co-operation agreement.

International Development

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor the co-operation agreement with the government of Malawi.

Linda Fabiani: As part of the Scotland-Malawi Co-operation Agreement a Joint Commission meets regularly to monitor progress.

Ministerial Meetings

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions and on what dates the Joint Ministerial Committee has met since 1999, excluding any sub-committee meetings.

Linda Fabiani: The Joint Ministerial Committee has met in plenary three times since 1999, on the following dates:

  1 September 2000. 30 October 2001. 22 October 2002.

Ministerial Meetings

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any communication from the UK Government since May 2007 to propose that a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee be convened.

Linda Fabiani: No.

NHS Funding

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding NHS Health Scotland has received in each year since 1999.

Nicola Sturgeon: NHS Health Scotland’s levels of funding, since inception in April 2003, are set out in the following table.

  

FinancialYear
Revenue Resource Limit
(£000)


2003-04
13,969


2004-05
17,148


2005-06
19,672


2006-07
22,595



  This information is available in the annual reports published by NHS Health Scotland.

NHS Funding

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which health projects received funding from NHS Health Scotland for publicity or public information in each year since 1999 and how much each received.

Nicola Sturgeon: Health projects do not receive funding from NHS Health Scotland for publicity or public information. Instead, projects receive support from NHS Health Scotland staff such as expertise, literature and advice regarding public relations.

NHS Funding

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the voluntary sector receives funding from NHS Health Scotland and, if so, how much it has received in each year since 1999.

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which voluntary organisations received funding from NHS Health Scotland in each year since 1999 and how much each received.

Nicola Sturgeon: The figures for funding, since NHS Health Scotland’s inception in 2003, are shown in the following table.

  

Organisation
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
Total Funding


Voluntary Health Scotland
£0
£95,130
£75,110
£72,325
£242,565


Community Health Exchange (CHEX)
£146,574.80
£74,545.50
£105,118
£9,050
£335,288.30


Scottish Community Development Centre (Learning Evaluation And Planning (LEAP))
£0
£88,229.99
£371,242.28
£418,451.46
£877,923.73


Community Development Foundation
£9,106
£192,319.95
£0
£0
£201,425.95


Young Scot
£287,880.58
£143,475
£130,000
£130,000
£691,355.58


Barnardos
£55,471
£51,402
£49,796
£0
£156,669


Family Planning Association
£0
£22,500
£21,525
£15,600
£59,625


Jog Scotland
£25,000
£25,000
£40,000
£0
£90,000


Paths to Health
£3,867
£0
£4,790
£21,500
£30,157


Paths for All Partnership
£31,000
£31,000
£31,000
£65,000
£158,000


ASH Scotland
£0
£106,800
£98,002
£48,037
£252,839


Age Concern Scotland
£6,500
£6,500
£17,500
£4,850
£35,350


Age Concern Orkney
£0
£8,175
£4,822.90
£4,087.50
£17,085.40


No Smoking Day
£50,000
£35,000
£25,000
£25,000
£135,000


Totals
£615,399.38
£880,077.44
£973,906.18
£813,900.96
£3,283,283.96

NHS Funding

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring has been undertaken of the effectiveness of NHS Health Scotland’s disbursements of funding.

Nicola Sturgeon: Monitoring the effectiveness of NHS Health Scotland’s disbursements of funding is by way of the organisation’s performance management system.

  Internal processes to monitor effectiveness are driven by quarterly business plan delivery reviews which involve budget holders and other staff tasked with project delivery, and staff from policy and planning and finance. These reviews lead to the production of reports on business plan delivery for consideration and, where necessary, action by the Corporate Management Team, the Audit Committee and the board.

  External processes to monitor effectiveness include periodic reviews with organisations receiving funding, and reviews by external and internal audit. The annual delivery plan is agreed with the Scottish Executive. Overall organisational effectiveness is reviewed annually by the Scottish government, through the annual review process.

NHS Funding

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the expenditure of the Scottish Health Council.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Health Council was established as part of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland but with its own distinct identity. The Chief Executive of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is therefore the accountable officer for the Scottish Health Council and is personally answerable to the Parliament for regularity, propriety and value for money in the management of the organisation. The council’s staff are responsible for complying with the requirements of NHS QIS systems of internal financial control and the board’s standing financial instructions.

  The Annual Review of the Scottish Health Council, which I will lead, also provides a mechanism for the monitoring and review of expenditure.

NHS Funding

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many local advisory councils of the Scottish Health Council there are; where the councils are located and what funding they receive.

Nicola Sturgeon: There is a Local Advisory Council (LAC) in each of the 14 territorial NHS board areas. The following table details total expenditure, which represents members expenses, by each LAC in 2006-07:

  

NHS Board
Actual Expenditure
2006-07 (£)


Grampian
1,575


Highland
2,044


Orkney
1,524


Shetland
638


Western Isles 
309


Ayrshire and Arran
1,210


Dumfries and Galloway
837


Greater Glasgow and Clyde
410


Lanarkshire
74


Tayside
1,172


Fife
231


Lothian
316


Borders
1,086


Forth Valley
636


Total
12,062

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the establishment of the proposed specialist cancer care centre at Ayr Hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: This is a matter for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce the network of community casualty units throughout Ayrshire, as agreed by the Minister for Health and Community Care and NHS Ayrshire and Arran on 15 December 2006.

Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-752 on 18 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

NHS Hospitals

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to engage with clinicians who supported the establishment of community casualty facilities throughout Ayrshire, as agreed by the Executive and NHS Ayrshire and Arran on 15 December 2006.

Nicola Sturgeon: As I outlined in my statement in the Chamber on 6 June 2007, I have instructed the board of NHS Ayrshire and Arran to review their original plans and to produce revised proposals that will enable accident and emergency services to continue at both sites in Ayrshire. I am clear that, as far as possible within the resources available to the board, I want them to retain their primary care and community development programmes.

  I recognise that there are many issues to address, for example relating to clinical workload and staffing. I want these challenges to be faced up to in a way that puts patients first and is innovative.

  It is now a matter for the board to determine how best to deliver these services and to produce proposals. I would expect the board to ensure that any proposals were fully informed by local clinical opinion. The Independent Scrutiny Panel, which will then fully consider the board’s proposals, will have access to expert clinical advice. I will carefully consider all the available information before coming to a final decision.

NHS Hospitals

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of 24/7 intensive therapy units is essential to accident and emergency services.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of 24/7 high dependency units is essential to accident and emergency services.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of 24/7 anaesthesiology services is essential to accident and emergency services.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of 24/7 general medical services is essential to accident and emergency services.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the provision of 24/7 orthopaedic services is essential to accident and emergency services.

Nicola Sturgeon: I recognise that a range of support services are available to accident and emergency units across Scotland, and that these appropriately take account of local circumstances.

  I have been clear that we support the general principles set out for the future of healthcare services in Scotland by Professor David Kerr. I also made clear that I believe these principles should be applied in a way that takes proper account of local circumstances and the views of local communities.

National Parks

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many responses it received from (a) organisations and (b) individuals to its consultation on a coastal and marine national park; in each case, how many of these responses were (i) in favour of, (ii) against or (iii) expressed no opinion about such a park and, in the case of responses from organisations, what number of people were represented by (A) organisations in favour of and (B) organisations against a park.

Richard Lochhead: A report summarising responses to the Executive’s consultation on proposals to establish Scotland’s first Coastal and Marine National Park was published on 1 March 2007. The report is available on the Scottish Executive’s website at:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/02/28143406/0 .

  As set out on pages 4 and 13 of this report, responses were received from:

  (a) 171 organisations, of which: (i) 78 were in favour (46%); (ii) 21 against (12%), and (iii) 72 reserved their opinion (42%), and

  (b) 769 individuals, of whom: (i) 601 were in favour (78%); (ii) 73 against (10%), and (iii) 93 expressed no firm position (12%).

  Information regarding the specific number of people represented by respondent organisations is unavailable.

Procurement

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that small firms bidding for PFI/PPP contracts, particularly in the waste industry, are not disadvantaged by the process and that what they have to offer in the way of sustainability, particularly in relation to transport impacts on the environment, is taken fully into account and whether any instructions are being given to local authorities to investigate alternatives to PFI/PPP procurement.

John Swinney: We said before the election that it will be open to local authorities and other public bodies to choose between PFI and Scottish Futures Bonds for planned and future projects. Work has already started on the detailed design aspects of the Scottish Futures Trust and a further announcement will be made when we are ready to explain it in more detail. We will ensure that replacement arrangements are robust and taken forward with the confidence of both public and private sectors.

  Until the Scottish Futures Trust is introduced, we are considering the scope to move to Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) forms of PPP where NPD surpluses are returned to the community providing a better balance of public/private interests.

  PPP projects are advertised in accordance with EC Procurement Directives. PPP projects tend to be large projects requiring main contractors to have experience of organising large and complex work programmes, and requiring significant balance sheets, therefore there is limited opportunity for small and medium-sized companies to become directly involved in the PPP consortium, although a few Scottish regional companies have successfully developed into that market. Small and medium-sized companies are more likely to be involved at sub-contractor level in PPP projects. There are likely to be new opportunities for small firms arising from processing of recyclable and compostable materials.

  The EC Procurement Directives provide scope for reflecting environmental considerations in procurement, where it is relevant to the subject matter of the contract or based upon environmental objectives of the public body concerned. This is a matter for the public sector procuring body itself.

Public Holidays

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals are in place to standardise public holidays in Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: We have no such plans.

  I should explain there is no fixed definition of a "public holiday" in Scotland but it is normally held to include both bank and local holidays. Bank holidays are set out in statute under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 or appointed by Royal Proclamation and it follows that they are the same across Scotland. Local holidays are part of the rich tradition of our cities and regions and the dates are for local authorities to determine, working with their partners, and are not subject to statute.

Public Sector Staff

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to alter the dispersal or relocation policy in relation to its agencies.

John Swinney: I am currently considering the future arrangements for reaching decisions on the locations of public bodies and agencies, in light of the experience of previous relocation policy, the findings of the Finance and Audit Committees of the Scottish Parliament and our wider commitment to address the cluttered landscape of public bodies. I will make an announcement on this matter following this consideration.

Rural Development

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the difference is between land management contracts and rural development contracts, as referred to by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment on 31 May 2007 ( Official Report c. 250).

Richard Lochhead: As I announced during the Parliamentary Debate on the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 on 31 May, Land Management Contracts have been renamed Rural Development Contracts in order to better reflect our wider goals for the next programme.

  The main difference in the new programme is the introduction of tier 3 of Rural Development Contracts to be known as "Rural Priorities", including the new entrants measure. This new Tier will be competitive and build on the assistance available to land managers through a revised tier 2 of Land Management Contracts, now "Land Managers Options" which is available to all land managers and is non-competitive.

School Transport

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has given to local authorities about the tendering of contracts to provide school bus services.

Maureen Watt: The Scottish Executive guidance to education authorities on school transport provision, Circular 7/2003, includes advice on contracting with transport providers. This has been supplemented by School transport: survey of good practice , published on the Scottish Executive website on 16 March 2007.

School Transport

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children travel to school by school bus, also broken down by local authority.

Maureen Watt: The percentage of school children, who travel to school by school bus in each local authority area, and for Scotland as a whole, is given in the following table. This information is collected, in respect of a small sample of pupils, by the Scottish Household Survey (SHS). The results are subject to sampling errors. The survey’s eight years of data have been pooled, in order to provide more reliable estimates, because of the small sample sizes in some local authorities.

  Pupils in Full-Time Education at School – Percentage whose usual Method of Travel to School is "School Bus":

  SHS Data for 1999-2006 Combined

  

 
Percentage who Travel to School by School Bus
Total Number of Pupils Sampled Over the Eight Year Period 1999-2006


Aberdeen City
5
855


Aberdeenshire
29
1,216


Angus
11
537


Argyll and Bute
29
503


Clackmannanshire
19
541


Dumfries and Galloway
21
669


Dundee City
4
578


East Ayrshire
24
621


East Dunbartonshire
13
580


East Lothian
12
513


East Renfrewshire
18
608


Edinburgh, City of
3
1,621


Eilean Siar
59
449


Falkirk
19
736


Fife
25
1,661


Glasgow City
5
2,384


Highland
31
1,055


Inverclyde
16
460


Midlothian
12
575


Moray
22
580


North Ayrshire
18
692


North Lanarkshire
16
1,653


Orkney Islands
42
512


Perth and Kinross
24
586


Renfrewshire
14
843


Scottish Borders
22
519


Shetland Islands
45
593


South Ayrshire
20
555


South Lanarkshire
18
1,508


Stirling
15
540


West Dunbartonshire
11
442


West Lothian
18
820


Scotland
16
26,005

Single Farm Payments

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be raised each year from Shetland crofters and farmers for each extra 1% of modulation of their single farm payments.

Richard Lochhead: Payments totalling £3,758,091.59 were made to crofters and farmers on Shetland in respect of the Single Farm Payment Scheme 2006. A total of £184,829.54 was deducted in respect of the 4.5% Voluntary Modulation applied by the previous administration, this equates to a deduction of £41,072.14 per 1% of modulation applied. The following table illustrates the estimated monies that will be raised in respect of Voluntary Modulation from Shetland in the period 2007 to 2010:

  

SchemeYear
Voluntary Modulation Rate
(%)
Total Voluntary Modulation To Be Deducted (£)
2006 – Total Voluntary Modulation Deducted (£)
Additional Voluntary Modulation Raised (£)


2007
5.00%
205,360.70
184,829.54
+ 20,531.16


2008
8.00%
328,577.12
184,829.54
+ 143,747.58


2009
8.50%
349,113.19
184,829.54
+ 164,283.65


2010
9.00%
369,649.27
184,829.54
+ 184,819.73

Sport

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial resources it has provided towards the staging of the Open Championship at Carnoustie.

Linda Fabiani: The Open Championship at Carnoustie is supported by almost one hundred and forty six thousand pounds (£146,000) of Scottish Government funding through equal payments of £72,850 each from EventScotland and VisitScotland. This is supplemented by a further £72,850 from Scottish Enterprise.

Supermarkets

Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are to establish an independent ombudsman to give teeth to the supermarket code of practice.

Richard Lochhead: Initially, we will enter into dialogue with all the major supermarkets operating in Scotland to learn more about their sourcing policies and their current relationships with Scottish suppliers. I will also be speaking to primary producers and processors to gain a more complete picture of how effectively the food chain works in Scotland.

Waste Management

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what role it will have in the implementation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Executive is responsible for policy on waste in Scotland and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 were made after consultation with the Executive and with the consent of the Scottish ministers.

  The regulations include provision for appeals to the Scottish ministers in respect of the following decisions by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency:

  (a) refusal to approve a proposed compliance scheme; (b) withdrawal of approval of a compliance scheme; (c) refusal to approve an authorised treatment facility; (d) refusal to approve additional treatment sites used by an exporter, and (e) suspension or cancellation of approval of an authorised treatment facility.

Wildlife

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to stop the spread of squirrel pox following the confirmation that a red squirrel has died as a result of the disease in Scotland.

Michael Russell: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Forestry Commission Scotland have the lead responsibilities for delivering measures to promote conservation of red squirrel populations in Scotland.

  SNH currently employs two grey squirrel controllers in the affected area in south Scotland. These were immediately re-deployed to intensify removal of grey squirrels in and around the affected location near Lockerbie when the first infected red squirrel was found.

Wildlife

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the policy of the Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise is on grey squirrel control in areas of outbreak of squirrel pox.

Michael Russell: Forestry Commission Scotland (and its agency Forest Enterprise Scotland) is following an approach which was recommended in the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2006-11.

  The plan recommended that targeted control of grey squirrels to contain the spread of the squirrelpox virus should be carried out by Grey Squirrel Control Officers, undertaking control on both the national forest estate and private woods. Two such officers are already in place in the area affected by squirrelpox.

Young People

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a national proof-of-age card.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government, in partnership with all 32 local authorities has introduced a Scotland wide National Entitlement Card that includes accreditation under the British Retail Consortium’s Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS).